Colorado Rockies injury update: Bud Black on Peter Lambert

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black has provided an update on the health and status of starting pitcher Peter Lambert.

Peter Lambert departed his appearance for the Colorado Rockies in a March 10 spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds after 1.1 innings after suffering from what would be termed right forearm/elbow tightness and soreness. That would be the last spring training game for the Rockies before Major League Baseball was halted in the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

On Wednesday, in an exclusive interview, Rockies manager Bud Black gave me an update on Lambert’s status. His words were encouraging for the status of the 23-year-old right-hander.

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“We basically shut him down from throwing to let the elbow rest and start to heal,” Black said. “As crazy as this sounds, this (baseball shutdown) has been good for Peter because he hasn’t had to try to rush back because of games being played and wanting to compete. This has been a good thing for Peter to do it on a timeline that doesn’t pressure him to move too fast.

“He’s in a good spot. He’s resumed throwing. Granted, it’s the beginning stages. Right now, the intensity is down. But he is starting to play catch and moving the arm. The intensity increases every day that it’s his day to throw. He’s on that trail to get back to the mound. When we reconvene, we’ll see where he is and how he feels.”

A second-round pick by the Rockies in the 2015 draft, Lambert made his Major League debut last season on June 6 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Lambert would hold the Cubs to one run and four hits over seven innings to earn the win. In his next outing, a rematch against the Cubs at Coors Field, Lambert again dazzled, surrendering just three hits and one run over five innings and logging his second win against the Cubs in less than a week.

He would finish his rookie season making 19 starts and compiling a 7.25 ERA in 89.1 innings pitched.

Lambert is expected to contend for a spot in the 2020 Rockies rotation and Black told me that Lambert is “doing well” in Arizona while preparing for spring training to resume.

“Everybody is encouraged,” Black said. “He’s had multiple check-ups. He’s had reviews of MRIs and new MRIs and images. Everything looks good so far.”